Antigua and Barbuda has taken a significant step toward strengthening regional aviation ties, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation among civil aviation authorities across the Caribbean.
The agreement was signed during the Fourteenth Meeting of the North American, Central America and Caribbean Directors of Civil Aviation, held at the AUA Conference Centre from June 1 to 3.
Led by France's Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC), the initiative seeks to improve collaboration across several key areas, including air services, crisis management, sustainable development, regulatory harmonisation, and the sharing of industry best practices.
Sylvain Lefoyer, Director of the French Civil Aviation Safety Directorate for the French West Indies and French Guiana, welcomed Antigua and Barbuda's participation during the signing ceremony. He confirmed that the agreement establishes a Regional Technical Cooperation Committee, with French authorities serving as secretariat and taking responsibility for coordinating implementation efforts and fostering stronger communication among aviation regulators throughout the region.
Representing Antigua and Barbuda, Ambassador Brian Challenger of the Ministry of Civil Aviation praised French authorities for their leadership in advancing technical cooperation among Caribbean aviation stakeholders. He described the agreement as an important avenue for aviation officials in Antigua and Barbuda and other participating countries and territories to strengthen relationships and collaborate more closely on matters of aviation safety and security.
Challenger added that the framework would facilitate both formal and informal exchanges among aviation authorities, improving coordination and supporting the continued development of the sector.
The signing was witnessed by senior aviation officials from Antigua and Barbuda and the French Antilles, along with Christopher Barks, Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Regional Office in Mexico City.
The agreement is expected to support greater regional integration in civil aviation and provide a platform for addressing shared challenges while advancing common goals across the Caribbean aviation sector.
